I Metro

AROUND TOWN

Spirited:

IDF takes center stage to mark Israel's 60th birthday.

Party attendees make a toast to Israel's 60th birthday.

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sraeli music, food and support flowed at the Michigan Friends of the Israel Defense
Forces' communitywide Yom HaAtzmaut celebration on May 10 at the Jewish
Community Center in West Bloomfield.
The Israel Independence Day party saluted 60 years of Israel statehood.
About 180 people, including many Israeli Americans, filled Handleman Hall to hear
the IDF Ensemble perform. The crowd also sang, danced and munched on Israeli offer-
ings.
"The atmosphere was awesome said party co-chair Dany Saar of West Bloomfield,
one of the organizers.
"We sang Israeli songs and close to 100 people got up and joined the circle of Israeli
folk dancing. The energy was tremendous?'
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts;' said Vild Davidovich of Walled Lake.
"Without a doubt, this was by far the best party I can remember ever having for the

local Jewish and Israeli community. You managed to bring together everyone and all the
ingredients to make it the best party:' said Davidovich.
"It was an elevation of the spirit to see the Israelis and the Jewish community getting
together to celebrate Israel 60th birthday in such a fantastic evening of sing-along and
Israeli dancing;' said Josh Berkovitz of West Bloomfield.
"Kol Hakavod [right on!];' said Tirza Raz of West Bloomfield.
"Thank you for all you did for the soldiers and us locals," Meny Levinson of
Farmington Hills told the Michigan Friends of the IDE
Others spotted in the crowd were Don Cohen, Marilyn Wayne, Rosalind Hayes,
Itzi Saar, all of West Bloomfield; Motti Hallak of Southfield; and Tsipi Golenberg of
Farmington Hills. Major event sponsors were Beverly Baker of Bloomfield Hills and
Hannan Lis of Farmington Hills and family. ❑

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IDF Ensemble members Rotem Ben-Ezra and Tal Fargun,
both of Haifa, and Lee Ganor and Hoyt Sekulets, both of Tel
Aviv

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May 22 • 2008

—
Brenda Berris of West Bloomfield, IDF Ensemble

member Hovi Sekulets of Tel Aviv and Michigan
Friends of the IDF Executive Director Tamir
Oppenheim of West Bloomfield

Donna Katz, center, is flanked by Adi Zachor, left, and
her mother, Aliza Zachor, all of Bloomfield Hills.